Poor wages leave Kerala’s handloom industry in disarray

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For Sarojini Amma, 86, one of the oldest traditional weavers from Nemom in Thiruvananthapuram, the craft is not just livelihood but a tradition passed down through generations. Despite her age and ailments, Sarojini turns up at the Travancore Textiles Handloom Weavers’ Industrial Co-operative Society, her workplace for decades, every day.

As poor wages and other issues keep younger generations away, elderly weavers are fighting the odds to keep Kerala’s traditional handloom industry alive. “I come here every day to do what I love. I have gotten slow, but I still possess the drive and hope to earn until my last day,” said Sarojini.